Family-Based Green Card Attorneys in Swanton, MD
A Family Preference Green Card permits specified family members of United States citizens and permanent residents to become permanent residents of Swanton, MD, and the rest of the U.S. For U.S. citizens, relatives eligible to come to the U.S. under this type of green card include children, spouses and siblings (as long as the U.S. citizen is at least 21 years old). With lawful permanent U.S. residents, the family members who may qualify for this green card include spouses and unmarried children of any age.
Permanent residency cards based on family preference are different in application from immediate family member green cards, which are meant for parents, spouses, and minor children of U.S. citizens. Your Swanton, MD family green card lawyer can assist your family in determining the correct type of green card category, helping your family to reconnect and begin or expand your life in the U.S. together.
How Do Family-Preference Green Cards Work in Swanton, MD?
To start, the family member in Swanton, MD who is a lawful permanent resident or a U.S. citizen needs to file Form I-130, known as a Petition for Alien Relative. The form demonstrates the connection required for sponsorship. Once that petition is approved, the family member outside the United States has to stand by for visas to be available depending on when they applied and the current visa limits imposed by law. If the applicant is already in the U.S. legally, they can request a status adjustment through forms that include the I-485.
Each eligible type of relative falls into a category of preference, which each have their own annual limits. First Preference, or F1, for example is for the unmarried, over 21-year-old children of United States citizens. F1 is allocated 23,400 of 226,000 available yearly family preference green cards. Often, Swanton, MD applicants have to wait for years or even decades for a family-sponsored green card to come.
Should You Hire a Family Immigration Attorney in Swanton, MD?
Going through the immigration process is time-consuming and requires substantial work and legal understanding. USCIS does not publish wait times for adjudication of family-based petitions, which can fluctuate substantially which varies based on your nationality and your assigned preference category. However, some have reported fifteen-year or more wait for an F4 (sibling) visa. With this kind of potential wait, it's critical that you file as soon as you can and with complete accuracy. Family immigration lawyers near you in Swanton, MD can help you present the requisite documents and ensure that you file it correctly for the proper visa type.
Immigration lawyers in Swanton, MD can help you understand the constantly changing laws and regulations and understand complicated documents. They know the application’s schedules and can coach you or your family members prior to visa interviews. With knowledgeable legal professionals in your corner, you can shorten potential delays, undergo a more seamless process, and boost your likelihood of success.
Choose Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Swanton, MD as Your Family Immigration Lawyer
When you or a family member decides to pursue a family-based green card, partner with the professionals at Weinstock Immigration Lawyers in Swanton, MD. Our founder relocated to the United States as an immigrant, and our team includes many individuals who are immigrants or have immigrant family members themselves. Our multicultural, multilingual attorneys will advise your family throughout the legal immigration structure as we offer some of the industry’s highest success rates.* We're ready to assist with your and your family's immigration necessities. Start today with a free case evaluation.
*Disclaimer: Past results do not ensure similar outcomes.